1/11/08; http://www.smh.com.au/letters/index.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap2
Escaping a dangerous situation is not so extraordinarily brave that you should be given a medal. In November 2004, 19 police officers found themselves barricaded in the Palm Island police barracks in North Queensland. They were surrounded by rioters, trapped in their barracks and feared for their lives. On being confronted with such extraordinary circumstances, it is completely understandable that they were afraid, acted to protect themselves and did their best to get away. We are all grateful that they managed to escape what must have been a terrifying situation. But while we would all be glad that no one was injured or killed, the police did not act so extraordinarily that they should be given special bravery awards. An innocent man died in police custody when a police officer accidentally fell on him, almost splitting his liver in two. The officer at the centre of the events which led to the riot, Christopher Hurley (the first police officer to face court over a black death in custody), has walked free. An Aboriginal man, Lex Wotton, has been convicted of riot and faces years in jail. The community may well find it difficult to accept that an award ceremony is how this tale is meant to end. John Thompson; North Maleny; (Qld)
Tags: Aboriginal, Australia, Death in Custody